Chapter 538: The Flak Tower of Another World

In Morin's view, a defense tower that only achieved its current level of capability would play a very limited role against a truly high-circle mage or a large-scale infiltration operation.

Not to mention the wasted investment, it would easily give the high command a false sense of security, making them think, "We are very safe now."

Rather than having it linger in a half-dead state unable to perform its intended function, it would be better to invest more resources and forge it into a true "Flak Tower of another world." So, how to make the Empire's high command willing to open their wallets?

The answer was simple: let them see with their own eyes that a defense tower with this level of investment couldn't stop an attack. Morin would naturally be able to "offer some pointers" then.

In his opinion, establishing a new capital defense system couldn't be accomplished simply by building a few defense towers. It required coordination across multiple fronts, including garrison troops, intelligence departments, and mages.

Especially intelligence and early warning—that was the crux of the matter.

At this time, the two mages woke up, yawning as they crawled out of their temporary bedrolls.

Seeing them, the cooks specifically brought over two bowls of meat stew with extra fixings and sliced white bread.

These two mages, rooted in agriculture and animal husbandry, clearly lacked the typical airs of other Imperial Mages. After accepting the food, they politely thanked the cooks, then walked over to Morin with their bowls.

"Colonel Morin."

The bespectacled mage—Master Haber's student—asked mumbled around a mouthful of bread, "Are we fighting today?"

The other pig-farming mage also leaned in, looking at Morin with an expression full of anticipation.

Morin stared at the two for a while before realizing something. He countered with a question: "Are you guys hoping to end the exercise early so you can go back to your research?"

The two exchanged a look, then nodded almost simultaneously.

The bespectacled mage set down his bowl, rubbing his hands together somewhat sheepishly: "Colonel, sir... to tell the truth, I have a project that's right in the middle of... the observation data for the fertilizer control group is nearing its collection point. If we drag this out for another two days..."

"Alright, alright, I get it," Morin waved his hand, cutting off the impending long-winded explanation about fertilizer.

He pondered for a few seconds, then suddenly laughed.

"Gentlemen, I have an idea."

Both mages instantly pricked up their ears.

"According to the rules, you only need to be 'Killed in Action' during the exercise to withdraw and go back."

"Eh..."

The two men's expressions froze. A moment later, the stocky pig-farming mage asked hesitantly: "Does the Colonel mean... you want us to fly over and commit suicide?"

"No, no, no, 'commit suicide' sounds so unpleasant."

Morin corrected him with a completely straight face.

"It's called 'risking one's life to probe the danger' to provide crucial intelligence for subsequent operations. This was one of the purposes of this exercise anyway~"

"As long as you use 【Fly】 to take off and head toward that tower, I expect it will definitely react... And I've already set up observation posts ahead. The tower's response and its firing armaments will be recorded by my men."

Morin looked at the two and spread his hands.

"Once you're 'shot down,' you can go back to your research, and I get the information I need... A win-win!"

The two mages stared at each other for quite a while.

The bespectacled mage was the first to break, speaking with a wry smile: "Colonel, sir... this makes it seem like we didn't help at all."

"Who says you didn't help?"

Morin patted the bespectacled mage's shoulder, saying with a smile: "Drawing out their firepower deployment is the biggest help... Intelligence is worth its weight in gold. You didn't really think I was going to have you two lob fireballs at the defense tower, did you?"

With Morin putting it like that, they felt embarrassed to decline. After exchanging another look, they nodded simultaneously.

"Colonel, when do we set off?"

"No rush. Finish your food first," Morin pointed at the bowls in their hands. "We'll wait until my forward observation posts are in position."

Relieved, the two mages sat back down and resumed gnawing on their bread. Clearly letting out a huge sigh of relief, they ate with far more appetite than before.

Morin then turned to find the 1st Company Commander.

"Kane, send two more squads out. Get as close as possible to observe... Focus on recording their firepower deployment after they open fire, and the defenders' reactions... Record as much as you can see."

"Understood, Commander." Kane didn't ask further questions, turning immediately to pick his men.

About an hour later.

Morin saw on the map that the forward observation posts were in position, all having reached suitable locations.

The two soldiers conducting "disguised reconnaissance" also returned during this time, bringing back more details. Counting the soldiers conducting checks on the road, there should be about a company's worth of guards in the entire position. Covered gun emplacements could be seen, but camouflage netting obscured their numbers.

Approaching from the road required passing through at least two checkpoints.

The two "disguised reconnaissance" soldiers had originally planned to check out the checkpoint, but realized their physiques looked nothing like old farmers left behind on the home front; rather, they looked more like draft dodgers... Ultimately, they had to give up.

After collating all the information, Morin updated his overall assessment in his mind.

"It's about time, gentlemen." Morin waved, signaling the two mages over. "Ready?"

The bespectacled mage straightened his casual casting robes, took a deep breath, and nodded.

The pig-farming mage rolled his wrists, wearing an easygoing expression that said, "Since I'm getting shot down anyway, might as well get it over with."

"Fly slightly west of north. The straight-line distance is just over three kilometers."

Morin pointed out a general direction, continuing, "Just fly in that direction after takeoff. Normal flight altitude is fine."

"Remember, the defense tower won't use live ammunition, at most training rounds. So when they fire their signal flares, it means you're 'Killed in Action.' Just land immediately when that happens."

"Understood," they answered in unison.

The bespectacled mage suddenly remembered something and added: "Colonel, sir, do we need to perform any offensive maneuvers? Like lobbing a fireball down?"

Morin thought for a moment.

"How many 3rd-circle offensive spells do you have?"

"Uh... I have one 【Lightning Bolt】 and one 【Fireball】."

The other also reported his inventory: "I have prepared two 【Fireball】 spells."

"Then when you're almost in range, throw two fireballs down just for show."

Morin waved his hand dismissively.

"But I estimate you won't even make it into casting range, so the main goal is just to make them open up with everything they have. Keep yourselves safe. If things feel off, just land. Don't force it~"

"Rest assured, Colonel, sir!" The pig-farming mage patted his chest: "Although my usual research is animal husbandry, my control over the 【Fly】 spell is very solid!"

Morin: "..."

He decided not to delve deeper into that topic.

"Go on."

The two mages walked to a clearing at the edge of the woods. Magical aura began to surge in their hands, rapidly covering their entire bodies. Then, the two began to lift slowly off the ground.

"Colonel, sir—!"

The pig-farming mage turned his head and shouted when he reached treetop height: "I know you like pork knuckles! If the instruction unit's mess hall ever needs high-quality pork, find me anytime!"

Nearly losing his composure, Morin waved at them: "Stop talking nonsense and get going, you two!"

The two silhouettes rose higher and higher, finally breaking through the forest canopy into the open sky, then accelerated toward the northwest.

Inside the core control room of the "Experimental Anti-Magic Surveillance and Defense Tower," the atmosphere was completely different from the anticipation and excitement at the start of the exercise.

General Rheinbaben clutched an untold number of coffee cups. The table before him held the breakfast data his adjutant had procured for him. Patricia, having stayed up the entire night, had just woken up from a nap at her desk in the corner and was rubbing her temples.

Master Röntgen and the other researchers were still somewhat alert, but their coffee cups had also been refilled countless times.

A collective lethargy hung over the control room after an all-nighter. Just then, a shrill alarm suddenly rang out, echoing through the entire room!

Everyone jolted as if doused with cold water, instantly snapping out of their various states of lethargy.

"Report! The magic fluctuation detection equipment on the tower roof has captured an anomalous signal!"

The voice of the magitech technician monitoring the instruments cracked.

"Bearing southeast, distance over three kilometers! Two mana sources approaching rapidly! Altitude... continuing to rise!"

"Mages! Finally, mages have taken to the air!"

General Rheinbaben slammed his coffee cup onto the table with a clatter, spilling half the coffee. He abruptly stood up and strode to the detector's display panel, which was currently showing an aerial image using a spell similar to 【Clairvoyance】.

"They're finally here!"

Master Röntgen, Patricia, and the others also hurried to the instrument panels to check the data.

"Bearing confirmed!" The magitech technician continued reporting. "Two targets are moving toward the tower at the standard speed of a 【Fly】 spell! About to enter the outer fire zone!"

General Rheinbaben waved his large hand: "Execute according to protocol! All anti-aircraft weapons go to standby status!"

The tower's internal communication system sprang into action, relaying orders down the chain of command.

The mock anti-air magitech device on the roof began adjusting its orientation. The new autocannon turrets emitted heavy, grinding noises as they traversed.

In the positions below the defense tower, the soldiers of the anti-aircraft gun crews threw off the camouflage netting covering their emplacements, aiming the 88mm and 105mm long-barrel guns toward the bearing provided by the detection equipment.

General Rheinbaben excitedly clenched his fists, the fatigue of the all-nighter swept away.

"Let them witness the firepower of our tower!"

Soon, the observation post on the tower roof also reported visual confirmation. The silhouettes of the two mages appeared in their field of view, flying in from the southeast.

"They have entered effective range!"

"Commence anti-aircraft defense!"

The mock anti-air magitech device on the roof was the first to illuminate them. In "training mode," it wouldn't cause damage, but it would continuously project visible beams to simulate attacks on the targets.

Immediately following, a deafening roar erupted around the entire tower. Although they were only firing training rounds with short ranges and practically zero damage, this highly realistic response still caused nearby civilians to retreat to a safe distance...

Then they found a suitable spot to watch the spectacle.

For many civilians living near the Dresden urban area, they had always been curious about the purpose of this newly built tower. Today, their eyes were finally opened.

The people in the control room stared intently at the two flight trajectories in the sky via the observation panels and instrument data.

"Target One continuing to approach the tower! Altitude stable!"

After another half minute or so of intense simulated "firing," the officer responsible for adjudication reached a final conclusion based on the firing frequency of the autocannons and anti-aircraft guns, as well as the illumination data from the anti-air magitech device.

"Report! Based on fire coverage calculations, both targets are adjudged 'Killed in Action' under the current fire density!"

"Fire the signal flares!"

Red, green, and white signal flares shot from the tower roof into the sky. According to the pre-exercise agreement, this signified that the incoming aerial targets had been shot down.

A cheer and applause that had been suppressed all night erupted in the control room. General Rheinbaben finally smiled.

"Excellent! From detection to shoot-down, the entire process took just over 5 minutes!"

"The sensitivity of the magic fluctuation detection system meets expectations." A researcher commented: "It captured the mages the instant they took off, offering the enemy zero opportunity for a stealthy approach."

Outside the defense tower, high in the air, the two mages saw the signal flares and reacted as if granted a general pardon. They decelerated, descended, and flew toward the defense tower.

The atmosphere in the control room instantly lightened considerably. Only Patricia frowned, twirling a pen in her hand, and suddenly asked a magitech technician: "Besides those two airborne mages, have any attacks been detected from other directions?"

General Rheinbaben, who was discussing something with Master Röntgen, turned his head at the sound. Simultaneously, the magitech technician replied: "Uh... the magic fluctuation detection device currently hasn't captured any other magical fluctuations. There shouldn't be any supernatural units operating within detection range."

"That's exactly the problem..." Patricia muttered, frowning.

General Rheinbaben quickly realized the issue as well, his expression shifting several times.

"Wait, Colonel Morin's attacking force includes Thunder Warriors, and he himself is a spellcaster. Yet there's still no sign of them..."

Hearing his words, the newly lightened atmosphere in the control room solidified once again.

"Oh no... don't tell me he used those two mages as bait?"

Master Röntgen was the first to react, walking back to the instrument panels to check the data from the magic fluctuation detection equipment.

"The roof detection equipment currently hasn't captured any other anomalous mana sources." He frowned at the jumping data lines. "Within a three-kilometer radius, there are no magical fluctuations from any supernatural units."

"Then that means he hasn't entered yet." General Rheinbaben breathed a sigh of relief, but then tensed up again. "But he already knows our firepower deployment..."

Master Röntgen sighed.

"I said it before... Colonel Morin won't play by our expectations."

Simultaneously, Morin received the complete report sent back by the observation posts.

Learning the two mages had been "shot down," Morin muttered, "Those two can finally go back to farming and feeding pigs~"

Hearing this, Klaus and Kane exchanged a knowing smile.

The ordinary soldiers tasked with forward reconnaissance had dispersed across multiple observation points roughly one kilometer from the tower, using binoculars to thoroughly document the situation when the defense tower opened up with full firepower.

Firepower deployment, weapon locations, firing angles... including the number and orientation of the long-barrel guns revealed when the camouflage netting on the ground positions was removed—everything was meticulously marked on a hand-drawn sketch.

"Interesting."

Morin rapped his knuckles on a few marked locations on the sketch, while the system map annotated even more detailed information.

Klaus and Kane leaned in.

"Commander, what do you see?" Klaus asked.

"The anti-aircraft firepower is indeed quite dense..."

Morin flattened the sketch for the two to see, then continued, "On the ground, there are at least four 88s and four 105s specifically for anti-aircraft use, six to eight of the new autocannons, and the anti-air magitech device on the roof... If a conventional mage tried to brute-force their way through the air using 【Fly】, it would indeed be tough."

"At the same time, this is its biggest flaw... Its design philosophy is entirely anti-air. As for ground defenses, aside from the checkpoint and the infantry in the outer fortifications... I don't see any heavy weapons for the moment."

Hearing Morin's words, Klaus reacted quickly: "Then what if we assault it from the ground?"

"Heh, that's exactly what I plan to do. Let's help them test its defensive effectiveness against ground assault and infiltration~"

Morin stood up, taking the sketch to a relatively flat piece of ground. He crouched down and began outlining a simple tactical schematic in the dirt.

"Kane, take the 1st Company and flank slightly from the east. There's a patch of low shrubs over there that can provide concealment. Once you're in attack range, push inside as hard as you can. It's just an exercise anyway, no one's actually getting killed, so make as much noise as possible!"

"As for you, Klaus..."

Morin looked up at the Thunder Warrior commander.

"Take your men and charge straight in from the south. The Thunder Warrior armor emits magical fluctuations. I expect your bearing will be pinpointed shortly after you enter the three-kilometer range."

"In short, your goal isn't to take the defense tower by force. I need you two to draw their attention... Make them divert all their firepower and personnel to those two directions."

Morin paused here. Kane and Klaus exchanged a glance, then spoke almost simultaneously.

"And you, Commander?"

Morin straightened up, dusting the dirt from his hands.

"What do you think?"

As the person who loved charging alongside Morin the most, Klaus instantly understood. An expression of "I knew it" appeared on his face.

"Commander, you're planning to sneak in yourself again!"

"Exactly. Think about it, what's the theme of this exercise?"

Klaus: "To verify a new magitech defense facility's capability to intercept supernatural units..."

"Precisely."

Morin pointed a thumb at his chest.

"Am I not a supernatural unit?"